#stmSnippet: Top Picks from Mercedes-Benz Start Up at WMCFW

Fashion is an expensive world to start a business in. Producing a collection, mounting a fashion show and marketing the brand to retailers, I am told by one Canadian designer, can cost $50,000 and up. All too often a designer gets close to the point of turning a profit, just to have to turn around and close up due to lack of funding. Design and business competitions like Mercedes-Benz Start Up play a vital role in helping new designers.

Developed by Mercedes-Benz Canada with IMG, the producers of World Mastercard Fashion Week and many other global sports, fashion and media related events, MBSU is open to designers across Canada who have been in business for less than five years. During the competition contestants connect with a panel of industry insiders who challenge them to be the best. The grand prize includes continued mentorship from the panel, a fully produced runway show at the following World Mastercard Fashion Week, $30,000 and more.

Discover our top three looks from each of the MBSU 2015 final six contestants over on STM by clicking here.

Photos: CanadaWears.ca / Raymond Chow

Walk the Walk: Caitlin Power S/S 2013 Collection

Mercedes Benz StartUp competition final was held yesterday night at the World of MasterCard Fashion Week and instead of talking all 8 designers here, I would like to just focus on one - Caitlin Power.

People who had seen the F/W 2012 show would have high expectation on Power's S/S 2013 collection yesterday night. Even though there were only 8 pieces showing on the runway, they were all very strong and truly captured the aesthetic of the brand. This collection continued to have a very strong futuristic vibe and the highlight was definitely the last piece which metallic leathers were used.

Even though Power didn't win the competition in the end, her collection had won a lot of compliments from the fashion crowd. Without a doubt, many people (including me) will be excited to see what she has in store for us next season!

Pros:
- The colour palette makes the collection very cohesive. The little yellow piping detail injects energy to the pieces.
- I really like how she continues to stick to the futuristic theme. I can see a Star Trek influence on some pieces, especially the last piece.
- The fit of each piece is flawless. The entire collection is very well constructed.
- Leather continues to be a strong element of the brand and she is probably the only brand I will never say no to leather.

Cons:
- I think the metallic leathers need to make a few more appearances in this collection. 1 piece is not enough for my eyes.

Eye Candies:
- Sleeveless blouse with metallic leathers panels
- Dress shirt with yellow piping detail
- Black sleeveless blouse with yellow piping detail and abstract cloud print

Please click here to see the complete collection.

Walk the Walk: LGFW Reviews on Global Fashion

This season, instead of writing review here, I was lucky to have a chance to write for Global News for the LGFW. Even though I wrote only 2 shows, but because each show had its subsets, in the end, there were actually 7 reviews in total. The shows were Mercedes Benz StartUp and Golnaz Ashtiani & Caitlin Power S/S 2012 collection.

Courtesy of Chris Young, the Canadian Press

Aside from the above 2 shows, I also enjoyed the following shows: Denis Gagnon, LOVAS, Sarah Stevenson and Adrian Wu. You can ask me in person to give you a more in depth review.

Thank you so much go Global News for this opportunity and LG Fashion Week, I will see you again next season!